V6 Belt Idler
Printed From: West Coast Fieros
Category: Technical Topics Forum
Forum Name: Technical Questions and Discussions
Forum Description: Got a technical question about your fiero? ask it here.
URL: http://www.westcoastfieros.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2034
Printed Date: 24 April 2025 at 10:04pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: V6 Belt Idler
Posted By: kharmata
Subject: V6 Belt Idler
Date Posted: 23 August 2010 at 8:02pm
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ok - here's an idler I built. Works like a charm
Mounts across both Alternator bracket bolts. |
BTW If
Replies:
Posted By: Dawg
Date Posted: 23 August 2010 at 8:19pm
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Very nice job. Everyone in the club with a V6 should build one of these. It's way more simple than some of the other ideas out there and it will work just as good. I like it! DG ------------- You dream it up....I'll make it |
Posted By: kharmata
Date Posted: 23 August 2010 at 8:33pm
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It does work very well - thanks. |
Posted By: Patrick
Date Posted: 23 August 2010 at 11:16pm
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With the extra "wrap" that your idler allows with the belt around the alternator pulley, I'm sure it works great. Well done, Kevin! I gotta say though, the spring belt tensioner that Dodgerunner makes (as discussed http://www.westcoastfieros.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1790&PN=1 - Here ) is the best device created for this purpose on the 2.8 bar none.
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Posted By: Romeo
Date Posted: 24 August 2010 at 5:30pm
Is this a belt battle? Does the producer of the better product recieve a championship belt?  ------------- Never shift into reverse without a back-up plan. |
Posted By: Patrick
Date Posted: 24 August 2010 at 7:17pm
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I've got an idea, let's all belt Tristan! It's no battle. It's just great to see that there are various options available which improve on the terrible factory setup.
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Romeo wrote:Posted By: kharmata
Date Posted: 24 August 2010 at 8:47pm
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You guys are funny! Otherwise consider - this cost me about $15.00 to make (not incl. the belt which you have to buy anyways). Mind you - you need to be somewhat able to weld and drill and grind. Also I am sure given time and a place i could make mine all pretty painted so it would compare - slightly to the other one Cheers |
If there is a battle... best to offer up your own design by comparision. Posted By: Romeo
Date Posted: 25 August 2010 at 4:52pm
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Bah, pretty is for sissies. So long as it works, which yours does. Way to go on designing and implementing a solution to a mechanical problem that plagues our cars! ------------- Never shift into reverse without a back-up plan. |
Posted By: Capt Fiero
Date Posted: 25 August 2010 at 6:41pm
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When you consider this is the same thing as Rodney sells. http://rodneydickman.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=71 - http://rodneydickman.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22&a mp;products_id=71 for $78 US plus shipping and taxes, you can build your own for a fraction of that cost, its a hell of a deal no matter how you shake it. ------------- Capt Fiero 88 Fiero GT 5spd V6 Eight Fifty Seven GT V8 5spd. |
Posted By: kharmata
Date Posted: 25 August 2010 at 9:27pm
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I knew I had seen one online somwhere - Rodney actually inspired me to try it myself in the first place - thanks Rodney! |
Posted By: kharmata
Date Posted: 19 January 2011 at 8:01pm
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Word of caution. I have noticed the new belt i installed, slowly got
stretched and became looser over time. Is this normal? I thought these belts were designed not too stretch? Let me rephrase this... If you find you need to tighten your belt after a little while...it may have been too tight to begin with. |
Posted By: Patrick
Date Posted: 19 January 2011 at 8:32pm
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They stretch. Kevin, there's good reason why I was promoting the use of the spring belt tensioner made and sold by Dodgerunner. His automatic tensioner is very reasonably priced and it works... and it stays working without any further intervention.
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Posted By: kharmata
Date Posted: 19 January 2011 at 8:42pm
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Nothing like salt in the wound. That maybe the case. But
it's been awhile since i did it and i have tightened my belt slightly once. So........:-P Actually it's been well over a year and I drive my car lots  cheers
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Posted By: Dawg
Date Posted: 19 January 2011 at 8:53pm
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These serpentine belts are not supposed to stretch much. If you've had to do it once I wouldn't worry about it. It should be good for a long while now. If it continues however then there is a problem. Usually it means one or more pulleys are wobbling slightly and hammering the belt to death. The water pump is usually the culprit. Look at your belt while the engine is running. Does it look steady or does it vibrate? The Dawg ------------- You dream it up....I'll make it |
Posted By: kharmata
Date Posted: 19 January 2011 at 8:54pm
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Excellent Advice - Thanks! I will get an update for the
record (after offset is confirmed). I made the middle
support so large around because of the large washer that came with the pulley, wide flanged bolt and vibration damper. |
Posted By: kharmata
Date Posted: 24 January 2011 at 6:05pm
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Final detail is the offset for the lower mount. As dawg measured a
hair over 3/8" i say fine...or make it less and shim it to your liking - since it's possible that your other components aren't aligned like mine and adjustment is then required anyways. Cheers |